He added: “The truth is he has never really been the innocent boy that people have pictured him - he has always liked to drink and a laugh and to party - I remember that from our days working on Britain’s Got Talent.

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“If you take the year out as I think would be a sensible thing because he’s clearly not right, that’s three of the biggest shows on British television where Dec either goes out on his own, or with somebody new.”

Anthony McPartlin (Image: PA)

On her own show following GMB, Lorraine Kelly added Ant needed to “go away and get better”.

An ITV spokesman said they would be “reviewing options” for the last two episodes in the current series of Saturday Night Takeaway.

A statement from Ant and Dec reads: “Ant has decided to go back into treatment and step down from his current TV commitments.

“He has spoken with Dec and ITV today and asked for time off for the foreseeable future. As such ‘Saturday Night Takeaway’ will not be going ahead this Saturday.”